BOSTON — There’s always a debate among Bruins fans leading up to the announcement of the Seventh Player Award winner about who is most deserving.

Fans vote for the player they deem to have exceeded expectations over the course of the season, and they take pride in making an appropriate selection. Before the name of this year’s winner even left the lips of ceremony emcee Jack Edwards prior to Thursday night’s game at TD Garden, it was obvious the majority of the 17,565 on hand had their preference.

First came the “Toook” chant from the fans. Then Edwards revealed the winner, and the rookie goaltender — once projected as Boston’s No. 2 behind incumbent Tim Thomas — skated to the Zamboni entrance to receive his award.